Bonding Interuptus

Rockie

We have an employee who is on FMLA with a baby and is still in the bonding stage. We are paying for several employees in her department to take a training course on the weekends. She has gotten wind of this and wants to know if she can take this class and get paid for it. (i am sure if there was not any money involved in this, she would not be interested).

This would involve taking her off LOA, putting her on the payroll and then putting her back on LOA for the sake of a training class. She would also need a fitness for duty statement from her physician.

My position is she should wait until she comes off FMLA before she takes training classes.

What say ye, oh wise ones?

SMace

I understand that bonding may not be taken intermittently unless the employer allows it. I would do as you suggest and have her take the training when she gets back. If she growls, tell her your company does not allow intermittent leave for bonding (if that has been your past practice).

If that has not been your past practice I would allow her to do it.

KP68

I agree with SMace that she should take the training when she returns, unless you have allowed others to take 'bonding' leave intermittently in the past. We state in our FMLA policy that FMLA for bonding after a birth is not to be taken intermittently.

Don D

Just like the 'other kind of interuptus', it works better for everybody when it doesn't start, then stop, then start. Tell her she's on FMLA.

Rockie

Good one Don!